The United Nations has said that more than 1,000 civilians were killed in a three-day offensive by the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF) on the Jama Jam camp for internally displaced people in Sudan last April.

The United Nations has called for an impartial and thorough investigation into the incident, calling it a possible war crime.

Fighting has been ongoing in Sudan between the national army and the RSF since 2023. The UN Human Rights Office has reported that widespread killings, sexual violence, torture and abductions have occurred during the attack.

The UN report states that ‘at least 1,130 civilians were confirmed killed’ in the attack that took place between April 11 and 13. In addition, the UN has stated that ‘at least 319 people have been ‘executed’.

A statement issued by the UN Human Rights Office said, ‘Some people were killed in their homes by the RSF during house-to-house searches, while others were killed in public places such as main markets, schools, health centers and mosques.’

The attack has forced more than 400,000 residents of the Zamzam IDP camp to flee. The United Nations said civilians already displaced by the conflict were being made homeless again.

The attack was part of a push by paramilitary forces to capture the town of El-Faser, the last stronghold of the Sudanese army in the western Darfur region.

RSF seized the town in late October, during which it reported further mass killings, sexual violence, abductions and looting.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement that “the deliberate killing of civilians or persons disproportionately affected by the conflict may amount to war crimes of murder.” He called for an impartial, thorough and effective investigation into the attack on the Zamzam IDP camp.

Turk said, “Those responsible for serious violations of international law must be held accountable and punished through fair legal processes.”

He said it was the international community’s shared responsibility to ensure justice for the victims.

The report came two days after a study by Yale University found that the RSF had attempted to destroy and conceal evidence of mass killings after they took control of El-Faser. The study also revealed a systematic pattern of sexual violence.

The UN human rights office confirmed that at least 104 victims were sexually assaulted between April 11 and May 20. Of these, 75 were women, 26 were girls and three were boys. They were mostly from the Zaghawa ethnic group.

The office said the victims were subjected to severe forms of sexual violence, including rape, gang rape and sexual slavery. These incidents occurred not only during the attacks on the camps, but also on the escape routes used to escape to safety.

Turk said, "The findings of this report once again clearly remind us of the need for swift and decisive action to end the cycle of atrocities and violence in Sudan." He expressed concern about the international community's indifference.